Electric switch



Nov. 11, 1930. J. R. COOK 1,781,441

ELECTRIC SWITCH Filed Sept. 18, 1922 s Sheets-Sheet 1 7 lvxzzzzvz'aze 6227" 0.22, MIA/5 Nov. 11, 1930. J. R. COOK 1,731,441

ELECTRIC SWITCH Filed Sept. 18, 1922 s Sheets-Sheet 2 Nov. 11, 1930. J. R. COOK 1,781,441

ELECTRIC SWITCH Filed Sept. 18, 1922' 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 l MEL/ZOE jmaz zva s Patented Nov. f1, 1930 UNITlEDSTATES PATENT OFFICE JOEL R. COOK, OF CLEVELAND, OHIO, ASSIGNO R T0 DOMESTIC ELECTRIC COMPANY, OF

, CLEVELAND, OHIO, A CORPORATION OF OHIO ELECTRIC SWITCH Application filed September 18, 1922. Serial No. 588,755.

tial object of the invention consists 1n so arranging a switch, such as a snap switch, and an electro-respon'sive circuit breaker that the closing of one may close the other under normal circuit conditions and whereby the latter may be automatically opened.

A particular object of the invention is to so arrange the electro-responsive controlling device that a circuit may not be held closed under abnormal conditions, even by a manual forcing of the circuit breaker to a closed position. In the operation of electrical devices, such, as for example, small motors for washing machines or like appliances, a physical overload on the motor results in the motor using more current than its windings are de signed to withstand. Frequently, the motor becomes fully stopped or stalled. To avoid damage under such conditions, it has been customary to provide a slippage device in the driving mechanism to prevent stopping of the motor. A particular adaptation of my invention is the combination of a manually operated snap switch and an electro-responsive circuit breaker coupled therewith, and in series, so that under an overload condition the circuit becomes promptly opened and the closing of the switch during the condition causing the overload only results in the momentary closing because the thermoresponsive device acts to immediately again open it, thereby eliminating mechani cal safety appliances such as mentioned. V

Devices of this character have heretofore been so constructed that upon the actuation .of the thermoresponsive device the switch would be thrown open, but the operator in attempting to make the motor (or other electric appliance) work even under the overloaded condition, may manually hold the switch closed against the action of the thermore- {sponsive device, which may very likely, and

often does, result in destruction of the instrument operated by the circuit.

My invention is intended to eliminate these diiiiculties' and requires proper attention to bring the circuit back to. normal before the current may be permanently closed therethrough.

Another specificobject is to so connect the thermoresponsive device with the switch that the usual operation of the switch handle or knob may first close the contacts governed by the thermoresponsive device, and next close-the-contacts of the switch itself, and thereafter under safe operatin conditions, the switch may be operated-inde nitely without affecting the condition or setting of the thermoresponsive device.

As an illustrative embodiment of my invention,-I have chosen a rotary snap switch, and have associated therewith a circuit breaker consisting of stationary and movable contacts. I have so mounted the movable contacts that they may be held against spring tension in closed position by a latch governed by an element in the closed circuit and responsive to the current passing therethrough to release the latch on an overload, causing an unusual or dangerously heavy current. The rotaryelement of the switch is so arranged that after the latch is once set to hold the circuit breaker contacts closed, the snap switch may govern the circuit in the usual way through an indefinite number of makes and breaks until an overload occurs when the reseating of the electroresponsive device again becomes necessary; this is accomplished, as stated, by merely turning the handle of the usual switch. Such an embodiment is illustrated in the accompanying drawings, and the essential characteristics of my invention are summarized in the claims.

Specific objects of the invention include the arrangement of the parts of the circuit closer so thatthey may be assembled within a very small compass, and may have a minimum number of simple parts adapted to be cheaply manufactured by production operations, such as stamping, screw machine work, and the like, and to this end the invention, as illus trated, is designed to be operatively asso ciated with a standard type of snap switch with a minimum amount of alteration thereof.

In the drawings, Fig. 1 is in the nature of a side elevation of the manually operated switch and the electro-responsive switch associated on the same base, the housing for each being shown in section; Fig. 2 is a' sectional elevation looking toward the electro-responsive device and its switch and latch mechanism, the cover being sectioned as before; Fig. 3 is a similar view showing the parts at the instant of release, and Fig. 4 is a similar View showing these parts fully released with the circuit opened; Fig. 5 is a section showing the snap switch construction, the plane of the section being indicated by the line 55 of Fig. 1; Fig. 6 is a small section in detail showing the step by step controlling mechanism of the snap switch; Fig. 7 is in the nature of a diagrammatic view showing the circuit as normally controlled by the manual switch; Fig. 8 is an enlarged central section taken substantially on the axis of the snap switch and its handle; Fig. 9 is a detail of the contact carrying members and one of the latching members shown in perspective; Fig. 10 is a perspective detail of another of the latching members; Fig. 11 is a sectional detail showing the mounting of the thermoresponsive device, the plan of this section being indicated on Fig. 2 by the line 11-11, the plan of the section of Fig.8 is indicated by a line 88 on Fig. 2. All of the figures of the drawing are shown on the scale larger than the commercial form of the device made in accordance with this invention.

A suitable base or frame member for mounting of the parts is designated 1 through the center of which extends a sleeve 2 having a slightly enlarged head fitting into the recess of a plate 3 on one side of the base and provided at the other side with threads engaging a plate 5 at the other side, and this forms a bearing for the shaft 6 carrying the usual knob 7 by which the snap switch is -.actuated. This switch is of the type whereby the movement of the knob 7 tensions a spring and withdraws a latch, allowing a subsequent quarter turn of the contacts of the switch blade, whereby successive turns may close the switch or open it in the usual manner.

Referring particularly to Figs. 5 and 6, the part of the plate 3 is shown as having the usual projections 9 coacting with a latch 10,

" actuated by a cam, 11 on the shaft 6, which first withdraws a projection on the cam from the projection 9 and then by reason of a shoulder acts to insure turning of the latch 10 to the next stop 9, these stops being raised from the plate 3 at evenly spaced intervals affording a positioning stop for each quarter turn. Projecting upwardly from the latch 10 is a tongue 12 engaging the slot 3 in the plate 13, which rigidly carries the switch blades 15, shown a pair of spring mem- 13 and at the other end to a ratchet tooth collar 19, rigid with the sleeve 20, in turn rigid with the handle 7.' The teeth of this collar are each adapted to receive the outwardly turned end of the spring 18 ,so that by changing this end from one tooth to another the tension of the spring may be adjusted.

22 indicates the usual cap or casing preferiibly provided with the usual insulating 1n1ng.

The shaft 6 is shown as extending through the sleeve 2 and carrying at its opposite ends a collar 25 rigid thereon and provided with oppositely extending pawls 26 adapted to cause the closing and latching of the circuit breaker. The latterfis shown as consisting of the stationary contacts 27. Contact members 28 carried on yielding arms 29 rigidly mounted upon but insulated from a. rotary carrler 30, the mounting being effected by sultable rivets or the like extending through openlngs in a downwardly turned lip 31-on this carrier. This carrier is provided with an integral or rigid sleeve 32 rotatably embracing a projecting end of the sleeve 2 and is urged normally to swing in a clockwise direction (Figs. 2, 3 and 4) a spring 34 surroundlng the sleeve 32 having one end engaging the carrier, as, for example, at the 11p 31, the other end 36 engaging a rigid stop, as at This stop is shown as an upturned pro ection integral with the plate 5. This plate is held against rotation by a pin 40 extend ng 1nto the base, and as provided with a suitable head whereby it may also serve as a bearing about which a latching arm 42 may swing. This latching arm embraces the I mby a pair of. separated ears 43 and as s own (Fig. 10) has a latch shoulder turned at right angles to the main body of the arm, as indicated at 44, while at its end it is provided with a finger 45 by which it 1s retained in latching position and which also serves to reset the latch as will be presently described.

On the opposite end of the plate 5 is a rigid pm 48 on which is carried a swingable catch 50, having integral ears embracing the pin and having one side thereof provided with a project on 51 engaged by the finger 45, this pro ection 51 being at one side of a recess, the other side of which also engages the proection 45- when in latched position as shown 1n Fig. 2.

The engagement of the finger 45 with the recess of thelatch 50 is such, that when the circuit-breaker is closed, as shown in Fig. 2, the arm 42 with its finger 45 tending to swlng to the right in Fig. 2, and engaging the latch at a point outside of the position of the pin 48, tends to swing this latch inwardly, that is, the outer end upwardly, and the latch'is rendered effective by preventing this swinging movement throughihe thermostatic device, as follows. 'The latch carries an extension. 53, insulated from the body of the latch and engaging the end of the thermostatic locking bar 55. This locking bar is shown as U-shaped and as having its ends secured respectively to shoulders 56 and 57, suitably insulated from each other and provided with electrical connections, whereby the circuit through the switch and circuit breaker passes through this U-shaped bar. It is referably constructed of two layers of di erent kinds of metal, whereby the resistance to the current under overload may heat the bar and cause it to tend to straighten out, thus swinging its free end out of contact with the latch member 53 and allowing the latch to release the circuit breaker as will be presently described.

The connection between the spindle 6 and the carrier for the contact arms and contact 28 cause a reseating of the circuit breaker, is aflorded by a link or dog 60 pivoted at 61 to the carrier 30 and having an arcuate outer surface adapted in one position to slide along the inner surface of the shoulder 44 of the latch member 42, this arcuate surface terminating in an abrupt shoulder substantially radial of the carrier and adapted to engage the edge of the projection 44 as shown in Fig. 2. To cause this engagement, the projections or cams 26 rigid with the spindle 6, engage an inwardly projecting shoulder 63 formed on the link 60 and as the shaft or spindle 6 is turned, one of these projections 26 engages the shoulder 63 carrying the link 60 and thus carries the contacts 28 around with the shaft for a portion of a turn until the latch is set. Either projection 26 comes out of engagement with the shoulder 63 by reason of its slope with relation to the face of the projection 26.

\Vhen the parts are in the position shown in Fig. 4, the rotation of the handle and spindle causes the projection to engage the shoulder 63 which tends to force the link 60 outwardly, this outward movement being resisted by the shoulder 44, the carrier 30 and the contacts are swung with the spindle until the arcuate surface of the link passes beyond the shoulder 44, whereupon further turning causes the projections to pass off from the shoulder 63, thus forcing the link outwardly to the latching position shown in Fig. 2. The outward movement of the link maybe limited by a finger 64, the free end thereof engaging an upturned projection 65 preferably formed upon the carrier 30.

It will be seenthat this latching will not take place if the current responsive bar 55 is swung outwardly to the position shown in Fig. 3, that is to say, the circuit may not be closed if the overload condition exists.

Assuming that theparts are in the position.

shown in Fig. 2, and thecurrent isclosed through'the circuit breaker and the responsive bar 55 as well as through the rotary switch, and an overload occurs, then the bar.

55 becomes heated and tends to straighten,

thus swinging outwardly and releasing the latch member 53 and the latch 50. The spring 34 tending to swing the carrier 30 in a clockwise direction pushes on the link 60 and thus on the shoulder 44 on the latch member 42, which, being pivoted at 40, tends to swing to the right and in turn urges the latch member 50 upwardly and inwardly. Thus. as soon as the latch member 50 is released from the bar 55, the spring 34 may complete a swinging movement, because the shoulder 44 is allowed to slide off from the shoulder of the link 60. This swinging move- 'ment opens thecircuit breaker by carrying the contacts 28 quickly away from the stationary contacts 27.

As the carrier 30 finishes its movement, a shoulder 33 on that carrier engages an upturned finger 46 on .the latch member 42, thus swinging the latch member inwardly, that is, toward the left in Fig. 3, until this same finger 46 engages a stop which may be the projection 37 formed on the stationary member 5. The inward swinging of the latch member 42 carrying with it the finger 45 causing this finger to engage the projection 51 of the latch 50 and swinging it downwardly, brings the parts to a position shpwn in Fig. 4, whereupon the bar 55 may assume its normal position due to the relief of the overload condition and the switch may be reset by simply turning the handle and bringing the latching link 60 into the position shown in Fig. 2, as described. If the overload condition still exists, the bar 55 will immediately swing outwardly, however. and cause the opening of the circuit breaker.

The parts of my switch are preferably electrically connected so that the rotary switch,

the thermo-responsive bar 55 and the circuit breakers, consisting of the contacts 27 and 28. are in series. To this end suitable line wires 70 and 71 are shown as broughtthrough the base and wire 70 is connected through ascrew 72 with the terminal 56 of the bar 55 and current passing through this bar is led iii) Briefly summarizing thepperation of this circuit breaker, we may assume the parts are in the position shown in Fig. 2, wherein the current is passingthroughthe closed rotary switch to the elcctro-responsive bar 55 and through the circuit breaker in series. If, now, an overload occurs the excessive current heating the bar 55 causes it to straighten and swing onhvardly from the latch member 53 which allows the finger and its latch member 49. to swing outwardly, freeing the shoulder 4% from the shoulder of the link 60, whereupon the spring 34 may swing the carrier 30 and the contacts 28 away from the contacts 27. thus breaking the circuit. As the circuit breaker is openingra portion of the latch mechanism is immediately reset so that the circuit breaker may be. closed and latched, merely by turning of the handle I as described. That opens by the carrier 30 swinging, a shoulder 33 of the carrier engaging the finger 46 brings this finger to the stop 37 and while the finger 45 engages the projection 51, swinging the latch downwardly so that the arm may assume its normal position ready to engage the latch projection 53.

If the condition causing the overload c011- tinues and the operator attempts to close the circuit, beginning with the parts shown inv Fig. 4, the first quarter turn of the rotary switch merely. opens the rotary switch, the next quarter turn causes the projection 26to engage the projection 63 of the link 60. and through this quarter turn sets the link into engagement with the latch shoulderfl l and permits the actuating projection 26 to pass out of engagement therewith. This resetting taking place, in something less than a quarter of a turn and the rotary switch being operable only by steps of a quarter turn each, leaves the parts in their latched position but the overload 'imlnediatelycauses the unlatching and it is not possible for the operator by manipulation even to manually hold the circuit closed.

If, now, the condition causing the overload be corrected, the parts may be reset as described and the rotary switchmay then be operated for any number of makes and breaks without disturbing the circuit breaker and latching elements because the projections 26 will pass the projection 63, when the circuit breaker is latched. Thus we have a rotary switch adapted under all normal conditions of the circuit to normally govern the circuit in the usual manner.

This rotary switch is coupled with the cir-" cuit breaker responsive to overload conditions, and is capable of automatically resetting the circuit breaker and thereafter becoming isconnected therefrom and free to function until an overload again occurs. The parts governing the circuit breaker are thus not frequently operated and are less likely to is, as the circuit breaker circuit breaker become worn or get out of order. The durability of a snap switch, such as the rotary switch shown, is well known, and I have therefore produced a very durable, effective and simple device in accomplishing the objects of the present invention.

Various forms of standard snap switches may be connected with the circuit breaker, in a manner to accomplish the results thereof. Such variations or adaptations of my invention are intended to be included within the scope of the appended claims.

I claim 1. A switch comprising separable contacts, means for closing the contacts, latching mechanism for holding thecontacts closed, a bimetallic thcrmostatic bar for releasing said latch, a manually operable member for actuating the closing means, and a sepa rate switch actuated by said manually operable member,

the manually operable member being adapted to open and close the last named switch independently of any actuation of said sepaable contacts.

2. A switch mechanism comprising con- .tacts tending to open, a latch, a manually operable mechanism for closing them and for setting the latch, electro-responsive means for releasing the latch and allowing the contacts to open and additional contacts governing the passage of current through the electroresponsive means and connected to the manually operated member and adapted to bet set upon a single movement in one direction of the latter to closed position and subsequent to-the closing of the first named contacts.

3. The. combination with a circuit breaker tending to open and having a latch holding it closed, of a bi-metallic thermostatic bar for releasing the latch, a manually operated switch and connections between the manually operated switch and the circuit breaker whereby movement of the switch may close the circuit breaker and become disconnected 'therefronrto operate independently of'the while the circuit breaker remains closed.

4. The combination with a circuit breaker, of yielding means tending to open it, a latch for holding it closed, electro-responsive means for releasing the latch, a snap switch governing the current through the electromay close the circuit breaker in one movement and allow repeated operation of the snap switch independently of the circuit breaker. 1

5. The combination with a switch and means for operating the same, of a circuit breaker having contacts tending to open, a latch for holding them closed, a bi-metallio thermostatic bar for releasing the latch, and mechanism connecting the switch with the circuit breaker to close the same when the circuit breaker hasbeen open, said mechanism being automatically disconnected when the circuit breaker is closed. L

. 6. The combination witha switch adapted to be opened and closed by successivemovements of an operating member in the same direction, of a circuit breaker having contacts tending to open, a latching means for holding ,them closed, switch operating mechanism adapted to connect the circuit breaker with the operating member, whereby movement of the switch operating mechanism may close the circuit breaker and set the latch, and

means for, disconnecting said switch from the circuit breaker whenever the circuit breaker is fully closed.

7. The combination with a snap switch having means for manually opening and closing its contacts with a snap action, of a circuit breaker having contacts tending to open, a latch for holding them closed, electroresponsive means for restraining the latch, means for temporarily connecting the circuit breaker with the switch when the former is open whereby movement of the switch member maywclose the circuit breaker, said means being disconnected upon completion of the closing of the circuit breaker and the latch- 3() ing thereof allowing successive independent operation of the switch when the circuit breaker is closed until the electro-respons'ive means again opens the circuit breaker.

8. The combination with a circuit breaker, of electro-responsive means causing it to open and a manually operated switch having means temporarily connected to the circuit breaker only when the latter is open for closing the circuit breaker during normal closing movement of the operation of the switch.

9. The combination with a manually operated snap switch, of a circuit breaker having contacts tending to open and in series with the switch when closed, a latch holding the circuit breaker closed, electro-responsive means restraining the latch and in series with said circuit breaker, whereby the circuit breaker is released under abnormal circuit conditions, a switch and connections between the switch and circuit breaker for closing the circuit breaker upon the opening or closing movement of the switch.

10. In combination with a circuit breaker tending to open, a latch for holding it closed,

a bi-metallic thermostatic bar restraining the,

latch, a handle adapted to be temporarily connected with the circuit breaker to close the same when open, a circuit governed by the circuit breaker, and a switch in said circuit, adapted to be opened and closed by said handle independently of the circuit breaker whenever the circuit breaker is closed.

11. switch for electric currents comprising separable contacts, closing mecha; msm therefor including an operating han- -dle, means causin the latter to lose control of the contacts a r they are fully closed, a pi-metallic thermostatlc bar serving to maintain the contacts in closed position, and

a switch also governing the circuit through said contacts and connected with and operated by said handle, wherein the switch may be repeatedly opened 'andc osed upon operation of the handle while the handle remains disconnected from said contact closin g mechanism.

12. In combination with a snap switch having an operatin handleadapted to open and close the switc upon a partial revolution, a. circuit breaker having separable contacts, a spring tending to open the contacts,

arlatch mechanism for holding the contacts closed including an electro-responsive device for releasingethe latch, a member connected with said handle and adaptedto close the circuit breaker, said member being so ar-, ranged that it becomes disconnpcted from the circuit breaker after closing ,the same 99 and placing it under control of the latch.-

13. The combination with a snap switch and a rotating handle for operating the same to open and close the contacts thereof, of a a. circuit breaker having stationary and movable contacts, a carrier for the movable contacts, a spring actin on said carrier to open the contacts,.a latc acting on the carrier to hold the contacts closed, an extension member rigid with said handle and extending adjacent said carrier, and a member on the carrier adapted to engage said extension upon movementpf the handle when the circuit breaker is open and to become disengaged from the extension of the handle after the carrier is latched with the circuit breaker contacts closed;

14. The combination with a rotary snap switch having an operating handle and contacts closed on one part of a revolution and open upon another, of a circuit breaker having contacts mounted upon a {movable 'carrier, means for holding the carrier with the contacts closed, a spring tending to open them, electro-responsive means governing the holding means, said rotary switch having an extension member on the handle passing through said carrier and having a projection adjacent the carrier, a movable memher on the carrier adapted to connect the projection and carrier to cause rotation with the handle and close the circuit breaker contacts, said member and projection being so" shaped, that after the latching of the carrier and contacts, disengagement is caused upon further rotation of the handle during subsequent rotation of the snap switch independently of the circuit breaker,

15. In a device of the character described, the combination with a base, a snap switch ating member therefor having a handle, said we and to be thrown into the continuation of movement of the handle.

17. In a device of the character described,

the other side of the base;

member being mounted in the base and extending therethrough a circuit breaker on including contacts mounted uponthe carrier adapted to be moved to close the contacts, a latch for holding them closed, a spring acting on the carrier tending to open them, an electroresponsive device governing the latch, and

means for connecting the carrier with the handle operating member when the circuit breaker is open and for disconnecting the carrier from the handle member when the circuit breaker is closed and held by the latch.

16. In a device of the character described, the combination with a base, of a snap switch mounted on one side of the base, ,an operating member therefor having a handle, said member being mounted in the base and extending therethrough, a circuit breaker on the other side of the base including contacts mounted upon the carrier and adapted to be moved to close the contacts, a latch for holdingthem closed, a spring acting on the carrier tending to open them, an electro-responsive device governing the latch, means for connecting the carrier with the handle operating member when the circuit breaker is open and for disconnecting the carrier from the handle member when the circuit breaker is closed and held by the latch, said means including a link, adapted when the circuit breaker is open, to stand in a position to be engaged by the projection on the handle latching position upon the combination of a base, a rotary snap switch mounted thereon and having the usual operating spindle rotating the contacts and.

governing thehandle, an extension of said spindle projecting through the base, a circuit breaker mounted ating handle, of an extension of the handle rigid with the handle and projecting through the base and having a pair of opposed cams, a circuit breaker on the opposite side of the base having stationary and movable con? tacts, a carrier for the latter, means on the a member enga on the other side of the base including stationary and movable,

carrier for engaging one of the cams when 19. A circuit breaker includin a base having stationary contacts, mova le contacts adapted to coact therewith, a movable carrier mounted on the base for the movable contacts, an operating handle for moving the carrier, a latch for holding the carrier with the contacts in closed position, a current carryin thermo-responsive device for restraining tie latch,,said latch including ging the carrier and a relatively movable member engaging the thermoresponsive device, said carrier having means for moving the last named member to its open position to permit the responsive device to assume its normal position after the circuit breaker is openwhereby it may restrain the latch when the circuitbreaker is closed until actuated by current conditions.

20. In a circuit breaker the combination of a manually operable rotary member, stationary contacts, movable contacts adapted to cooperate therewith to close a line, a carrier for the movable contacts, means on the carrier for engaging the manually operated member during a portion'of a rotation thereof, a spring acting on the carrier to oppose the contact closing action of the manually operated member upon the carrier, a mechanism engaging said means to prevent actuation of the carrier by, said spring, when the carrier is free of the operating member, a latch controlling the carrier releasing movement of said mechanism and a thermo-responsive devicecontrolling the releasing movement of said latch.

21. In a circuit breaker" the combination of a manually operable member, stationary contacts, a carrier provided with contacts adapted to cooperate with the stationary contacts to close a line, a latching mechanism for maintaining the carrier in a contact closing position, said mechanism including an auxiliary latch and a bi-meta-llic current carrying thermostat for intercepting the releasing movement of said auxiliary latch.

22. In a circuit breaker, the combination of a manually operable member, stationary contacts, a contact carrier provided-with contacts adapted to cooperate with the stationary contacts to close a line, a spring tending to separate the contacts, a latching mechanism acting on the carrier to prevent separation of the contacts and a bi-metallic current carrying thermostat controlling the latching mechanism.

23. In a circuit breaker, the combination of a manually operable member, stationary contacts, a contact carrier provided with con: tacts adapted to coopehate with the stationary contacts to close a line, a spring acting on the contact carrier and tending to normally sepcontact opening action of the spring=under said abnormal load conditions.

25. In a circuit breaker, the combination of a manually operable member, a contact carrier,,a pivotal mounting for the contact carrier,'a latching mechanism, a spring tending to open the contacts but opposed by said latching mechanism and a bi-metallic thermostatic member acting to retain the latching mechanism in spring opposing position, said manually opefable member being normally free to move without acting on the latching mecha- 1 nism.

26. In a circuit breaker of the character described,-th'e combination of a manually operable member, a contact carrier, stationary .,conta'cts cooperating with the contacts on the contact carrier to close a line, a bi-metallic thermostatic member, a latch member having a pivotalmountingindependent of the contact carrier, a second latching member engaged by said first la'tch member, the first latch member being arranged to be acted upon by the bi-metallic thermostatiemember to retain it normally in latching position, and insulating means electrically disposed between the thermostatic couple and said second latching member.

27. In a circuit breaker of the character described, the combination of a manually operable member, a contact carrier, stationary con tacts cooperating with the contacts on the contact carrier to close a line. a bi-metallic thermostatic member, a latch member. a

' second latch member engaged by said first latch member, the first latch member being arranged to be acted upon by the bi-nietallic thermostatic member to retain it normally in latching position, an electrically insulated catch member between one of the latch members, and the thermostatic member.

28. In a circuit breaker, the combination of a manually operable member, a contact carrier, a pivotal mounting for the contact carrier, a latching mechanism comprising a adapted to bi-metallic'thermostatic member acting to retain thelatching mechanism in spring 013- posing osition, said manually operable member 'eing normally free to move without acting on the latch mechanism.

29. In a circuit breaker of the characterof a manually opdescribed, the combination erable member, a contact carrier, stationary contacts cooperating with the contacts on the contact carrier to close a line, a bi-metallic thermostatic member, latching means arrangedto be acted upon by the bi-metallic H thermostatic member to retain it normally in latching position, an electricall insulated catch member disposed between t e latching means and the thermostatic member.

30. A"=,thermostatic cutout for an electric circuit Comprising swit'ch members, actuating means including'a spring for giving relative movement to said members, means for holding said switch members in contacting position, a thermostatic means operableupon a persistent abnormal current in said circuit, a releasing device dependent upon said spring actuated means for releasing movement but adapted to be held in operative position by said thermostatic means while subjected to the influence of said spring actuated means, the releasing device being operable upon a predetermined movement, of said thermostatic means'to effect the releasing of said spring actuated means and to thereby permit an opening movement of the switch members.

31. A thermostatic time cutout for an electric circuit comprising stationary movable switch members, means normally tending to separate said members, detent mechanism retain said members in contact, dependently actuated tripping means under the influence of the detent mechanism for releasing the detent mechanism and a thermostatic member adapted to normally engage the tripping means but to release the trip 'ping means uponan overload condition prevailing in the circuit.

32. A thermostatic cutout for an electric circuit comprising switch members and actuating means for giving relative movement to said members, and thermostatic means operable upon a persistent abnormal current in said circuit, means for locking said switch members in contacting position, a releasing device normally operatively connected with and under the influence of said contact actuating means and adapted to be released by a predetermined movement of said thermostatic means, and means dependent upon a closing movement of the contact actuating means for resetting the releasing device in cooperative relation to the thermostatic means.

33. A thermostatic cutout for an electric circuit comprising switch members, a spring actuated means for giving relative movement to said members, and 'a'thermostatie means operable upon a persistent abnormal current in said circuit, means-for locking said switch members in contacting position, a releasing device engaging said thermostatic means and I adapted to be released by a predetermined movement of the thermostatic means and means dependent upon'the spring actuated means for its movement adapted to actuate said releasing device to release thespring actuated means thereby to effect relative move ment of the switch members.

In testimony whereof, I hereunto aifix signature.

'5 JOEL R. COOK.

CERTIFICATE" or CORRECTKON.

Patent No; 1,731,444. 'GrantedNovember 11, 1936,10

' JOEL COOK.

It is hereby certified that the" above numbered patent was erroneously issued to "Domestic Electric Company, of Cleveland, Ohio, a Corporation of Ohio", whereas said patent s houldhav'e been issued to Westinghouse Electric and Manufacturing Company, a Corporation of Pennsylvania, said corporation being assignee by mesne assignments of the entire interest in said invention, as shown by the records of assignments in this office; and that the said Letters Patent should be read with this correction therein that the same may'coniorm to the record of the case in the'Patent Office.

Signed and sealed this 6th day of January, A. D. 1931."

M. J. Moore, (Seal) Acting Commissioner of Patents.

DISOLAIMER 1,78l,441.-J0el R. 000k, Cleveland, Ohio. ELECTRIC SWITCH. Patent dated November 11, 1930. Disclaimer filed August 31, 1933, by the assignee, Westinghouse Electric ct Manufacturing Company.

Hereby enters this disclaimer of that part of the claim in said specification which is in the following ivords, to Wit:

22. In a circuit breaker, the combinationof a manuallyv operable member, stationary contacts, a contact carrier provided with contacts adapted to cooperate with the stationary contacts to close a line, a spring tencu'ng to-separate' the contacts, a latching mechanism acting onthecarrier to prevent separation of the contacts and a bi-metallic current carrying thermostat controlling the latching mechanism.

[Ofiicial Gazette September 26, 193811 

